Ecological village
"Jardín de las orquídeas"
Ecuadorian Amazon
| THE AMAZON BASIN All the rivers of the Amazon territory are affluent of the Amazon River thus forming the so-called Amazon Basin which counts for 50% of the World rain forest covering 7.8 millions of square Kilometers, divided as follows: Brazil: 69.2% Peru: 11.1% Bolivia: 9.9% Colombia:3.4% Venezuela: 2.5% Surinam and Guyanas: 2% Ecuador: 1.9% |
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ECUADORIAN AMAZON
PRESENT SITUATION
Ecuadorian Amazon covers 117, 072 square kilometers over 6 Provinces: Pastaza, Napo, Orellana, Sucumbios, Morona and Zamora; this represents 43% of the country's territory. Its demographic density, including "Mestizos" and Natives is low, forming only
4% of the country's population.
Despite its low demographic density, a massive deforestation occurs in the
Ecuadorian Amazon, mainly due to oil extraction, road construction, the quantity of suitable trees for lumber and timber, and farming, thus compromising the survival of both the local flora and fauna.
The Ecuadorian rain forest, considering its expanse, holds a rich biological wealth for the constant rain it receives year round and also for the rivers criss-crossing its territory, allowing a
vast bio-diversity, and this is why this area is considered as a high priority as far as nature preservation is concerned. It is one of the
rare places in the World to offer in a limited area such a variety of vegetable formations and
wildlife, from the Andean wastelands to the plains of the Amazon.
WATER REPRESENTATION
The Napo River is one of the largest, crossing a good part of the Amazon territories of Ecuador and Peru. Its source is located at the foot of the volcano
Cotopaxi. It was the first affluent of the Amazon River discovered by the Spaniards. An expedition headed by Francisco de
Orellana, sailed down the Napo River to the Amazon and from there to the Atlantic
Ocean. Traveling the opposite direction, between 1637 and 1638, the Portuguese
Pedro Teixeira sailed upward the Amazon River to its source and from there, crossed the Andes to eventually reach the city of Quito.
NAPO RIVER COMMUNITIES
People from numberless cultures and origin settled in the Amazon region. Some came through the
Amazon River, others from the Mountains or the Coast, either
"Mestizos" or Natives.
The Native Kichwas have the largest representation of the Napo Province population, and bring cultural elements that must be retrieved and be enhanced. Their long transmitted generation-to-generation knowledge regarding the resources of the forest, particularly in the medicinal and nutritional areas is invaluable.
The main activity of the Amazon population, Natives as well as "Mestizos", is agriculture and logging.
It has to be noted that in this Community, "Mestizos" and Natives live in a friendly and convivial
atmosphere. They mutually shared their customs and knowledge about nutrition, hunting and fishing as well as agricultural techniques.
COMMUNITY TOURISM IN THE "AMAZON ECOLOGICAL VILLAGE ORCHIDS GARDEN"
Colonia Los Ríos, Parroquia Chontapunta, Cantón Tena, Provincia de
Napo - Contact: Lourdes Granja or Nicolás Díaz
Tel.: (06) 2888578
By mail: Lourdes Granja
Avenida Pano 164 y Serafín Gutiérrez - Tena - Ecuador